Simple outdoor soil mix for beginners.

[AussieToker]

G'day forum, i'm back after years of trial and error. So basically since i've been absent i've ditched almost everything I was doing and started with fresh ideas/concepts. Forget any posts I did a few years ago, i'm a more experienced grower now and ready to get back in action. This winter I was thinking of getting a greenhouse kicking or waiting it out until around spring time, I wanted to share with everyone my soil recipe i'll be using and what i'll be feeding the plants. For pots i'll be using 15-20ltr, the mix will consist of the following: 

• Organic Potting Mix (Certified organic)
• Coco (Bagged or in a brick)
• Perlite or Water Crystals (For drainage or water retaining)
• Organic Slow Release Fert or Composted Bagged Manure (Only if potting mix doesn't have any)
• Feed with Seaweed/Kelp Extract or Fish Emulsion (Only if plants need feeding)

First off for my organic potting mix I always look for the certified organic symbol on the bag...then add coco I use coco bricks as they are cheaper and easier to find. For better drainage i'll add perlite in the mix or for water retaining i'll add water crystals at the bottom. For a fert I want a slow release organic fert like blood & bone (no added potash) or composted bagged manure (chicken or cow). Most the time potting mix will have added slow release fert so I shouldn't need to add any extra ferts myself. It'll mainly be a potting mix/coco/perlite mixture then feed with seasol (seaweed extract or fish emulsion) only when it needs it. Basically the plan is to keep it simple, look after my plants, water but only when thirsty & hopefully I should have some success this grow. Hope this helps

[Faith]

Have you settled on any ratios?  sounds like a basis for a fine soil based medium.  I've been spending last year experimenting with different brews and pretty much all comes down to what ya have there, little tweaks on it now and again....I have been adding a pulverized well aged horse manure from the side of the road  (i just smash it up a little into more manageable pieces/texture) and adding that in in different ratios-lil compost its a ll alot of fun for me-This year I'm almost settled on a mix tha is showing some decent growth in the tomatoes and eggplants (and a few sly outsideys ) that I am using as kinda my 'guinea pigs".

 

peace and good growing to you.

Faith

Edited May 2, 2014 by Faith

[Husky]

From my experience long ago, I will be getting a worm farm going before spring. Worm juice and castings are gold and I'm recycling my waste to make the best organic fert. free.

[AussieToker]

Hey Faith, i'm still experimenting with different ratios with trying to find the correct amounts that work best that's the thing there is no wrong or right way to do it which I love. There is things you shouldn't do which i've learnt the hard way, from trial and error. I usually go a 60% potting mix, 30% coco, 10% perlite if I need it. With manures I find they have to be composted for a large amount of time before use to get the full potential & nutrients from it, but it works great if you already have a compost at home or a worm bin that's been composting for a while (you could also use composted bagged manure from a store). I could never get my hands on worm castings/compost, thinking about setting up a worm bin of my own when I have the time and money....I remember using wormtec worm castings for a previous grow and it worked well but wouldn't use that same company again imo as it's hard to get a hold of & can be pricey $$ for delivery charges.  If you can get ahold of either composted manure or worm compost then the plants really thrive off that stuff and love it!  

AussieToker

Edited May 12, 2014 by AussieToker

[magpie1]

30% coco,coco is over rated medium outdoors if you water properly you don't need it,

[Frank Reynolds]

What's wrong with coco's high water holding capacity and slow decomposition rate, i would think it would be perfect at making up at least 50% of any outdoor mix

[goodchoof]

my favorite outdoor soil mix is simple and available at hardware shops * 1 bag 0f good potting mix ,ozmicote or somthing with a bit of added blood and bone n fish stuff etc.                                                                                                                                                        *  halve a bag of sheep poo and halve a bag of cow poo couple of scoops of chook poo,give a good mix  and enjoy water with a good fish emulsion,my idea of an outdoor grow never has any cocoa,perlite,,clayballs etc,

[Dat Dank]

Hey Faith, i'm still experimenting with different ratios with trying to find the correct amounts that work best that's the thing there is no wrong or right way to do it which I love. There is things you shouldn't do which i've learnt the hard way, from trial and error. I usually go a 60% potting mix, 30% coco, 10% perlite if I need it. With manures I find they have to be composted for a large amount of time before use to get the full potential & nutrients from it, but it works great if you already have a compost at home or a worm bin that's been composting for a while (you could also use composted bagged manure from a store). I could never get my hands on worm castings/compost, thinking about setting up a worm bin of my own when I have the time and money....I remember using wormtec worm castings for a previous grow and it worked well but wouldn't use that same company again imo as it's hard to get a hold of & can be pricey $$ for delivery charges.  If you can get ahold of either composted manure or worm compost then the plants really thrive off that stuff and love it!  

 

AussieToker

I've just purchased a worm bin. now I've got to get me some worms. I've been composting yard waste and kitchen scraps for awhile, but I've heard that worm castings are just dense in nutrients! I've also heard that nutrients in high concentration can harm your plant. Are worm casting something you would use sparingly? Also have you tried using "worm tea"?

Edited June 6, 2014 by Dat Dank

[haze420mist]

When transplanting from pots to ground dig a suitable hole then place dead Mullies from bait shop into bottom of hole place plant on top.

 

Haze

[Stix87]

When transplanting from pots to ground dig a suitable hole then place dead Mullies from bait shop into bottom of hole place plant on top.

 

Haze

hey have a mate that threw some fish in the bottom of his pot left it a few months plus then started a seed in there and it went nuts